Attachment for a toolbox

ABSTRACT

An attachment for a tool box comprising: a base section and a removable rack section, the base section comprises at least one horizontal support and at least one vertical support attached to the at least one horizontal support, the at least one vertical support has a receiving aperture sized to receive a bottom section of the rack section, located at terminal ends of each horizontal support are attachment tangs that include an attachment aperture, the removable rack section comprises of two pieces, a stem section and a prong section comprising a horizontal bar with retaining projections at teach end of the horizontal bar.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an attachment for a toolbox. More specifically, the attachment is used to hold or secure objects to the toolbox.

BACKGROUND

Truck owners tend to be practical types in that they tend to maximize the storage capacity of their trucks. One of the most common ways to maximize a truck's storage capacity is by adding truck bed toolboxes. The crossover truck toolbox is one of the most popular and useful designs, but it's by no means the only design available.

If you own a lot of tools that are large or have long handles, then installing a side truck tool boxes is a common storage solution.

However, there are frequently tools or other objects that are longer or bulkier that the tool box. Thus there is a need for an attachment for the tool box that allows securing these long or bulky objects to the tool box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a tool box that allows the securing of long objects to the tool box.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a tool box that allows the securing of bulky objects to the tool box.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a tool box that includes the ability to reposition at least a portion of the attachment in order to allow the user to reposition a stored object along the length of the tool box.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is side view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the ability of the rack of the second embodiment to move along the rail system.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrate the ability to access the interior of the tool box when the third embodiment is in use.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates the ability to access the interior of the tool box when the fourth embodiment is in use.

FIG. 14 is another view of the fourth embodiment with the tool box partially open.

FIG. 15 is a close-up view of the inset in FIG. 13 illustrating the sealing/drainage mechanism of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a close-up view of the inset in FIG. 14 illustrating the sealing/drainage mechanism of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is yet another view of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates the storability of the removable rack section, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The device and method according to the present invention is a rack that is useful for securing objects to a tool box.

With reference to the figures, the rack 10 according to the present invention is comprised of a base section 20 and a rack section 40.

In a first preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, the base section 20 comprises at least one, preferably two, horizontal supports 22. Attached to the at least one horizontal supports 22 is at least one vertical support 24. In the most preferred embodiment, there are two horizontal supports 22 and at least one vertical support 24 that spans the distance between the two horizontal supports 22. In the most preferred form of this embodiment, the vertical support 24 is generally centrally located. However, alternate locations, such as either end of the base section 20 are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

In another version of this embodiment, not shown, there is more than one vertical support 24. There could be two, three, four or even more vertical supports 24 spaced along the length of the base section 20.

In the preferred embodiment, at least one of the at least one vertical support 24 has a receiving aperture 25 sized to receive a bottom section of the rack section 40. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving aperture 25 is a substantially square aperture.

Located at terminal ends of each horizontal support 22 are attachment tangs 26. Each attachment tang 26 has an included attachment aperture 27.

In a second preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5 though FIG. 7, the base section 20 comprises a least one, preferably two, horizontal supports 22. Attached to the at least one horizontal supports 22 is at least one movable vertical support 24′. In the most preferred embodiment, there are two horizontal supports 22 and a single movable vertical support 24′ with two fixed vertical supports 24″ that spans the distance between the two horizontal supports 22. In this second embodiment, the two fixed vertical supports 24″ are located at opposite ends of the two horizontal supports 21. See FIG. 5.

In a preferred embodiment, the single movable vertical support 24′ comprises two slide guides 31 sized to fit over and slide along the two horizontal supports 21. The single movable vertical support 24′ is attached to and spans the distance between the two slide guides 31. A securing key 33 is included in at least one of the two slide guides 31 for locking the single movable vertical support system in place. Preferably the securing key is a threaded aperture with a matching threaded bolt.

In a preferred embodiment, the plane of the horizontal supports 21 is slightly offset from the plane of the vertical supports 24′ and 24″. The offset is sufficient for the rack 10 to be mounted against a surface, such as the exterior surface of a tool box, while allowing the single moveable vertical support 24′ to be freely repositioned. See FIG. 6.

The rack section 40 according to the present invention is a removable section that mates with the vertical support 24 or movable vertical support 24′.

In a third preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 9 through FIG. 11, the rack 10 is incorporated directly into a tool box 1. In this embodiment, there is a single vertical support 24 attached directly to the interior of the tool box 1. In the lid of the tool box 1 there is an aperture located directly over the vertical support 24. There is also a removable rack section 40.

In all of these embodiments the preferred form of the rack section 40 comprises of two pieces, a stem section 42 and prong section 44. The stem section 42 is a piece that removable spans the distance between the base section 20 and the prong section 44. Preferably, the stem section 42 is sized to mate with the vertical support 24 or movable vertical support 24′. Moreover, its length can be variable, but is preferably a single fixed length, one sufficient to put the prong section 44 over the tool box.

In the preferred embodiment the prong section 44 comprises a horizontal bar 45 with retaining projections 46 at each end of the horizontal bar 45. There may also be a mating section 48 that is located at a generally central point of the horizontal bar 45. The mating section 48 is sized to mate with the stem section 42. In one embodiment, the horizontal bar 45 is of a fixed length, but in a second embodiment, the horizontal bar 45 is variable in length, thereby allowing loads of different widths to be secured to the tool box 1.

In a fourth preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 12 through 18, the rack 10 is incorporated directly into a tool box 1. In this embodiment, there is a single vertical support 24 attached directly to the interior of the tool box 1. In the lid of the tool box 1 there is an aperture located directly over the vertical support 24. There is also a removable rack section 40.

In this fourth embodiment, there is also included a sealing/drainage structure 50 that comprises a pan portion 52 and a seal portion 54. The pan portion 52 is attached to the top of the vertical support 24 so as to form a water receiving lip that channels any water or detritus out of the interior of the tool box 1. The pan portion 52 comprises a base portion 56 and a lip 58 that runs around most, but not all of the base portion 56. That part of the base portion 56 that does not have a portion of the lip 58 is immediately adjacent the back of the tool box 1 thereby allowing water to pool in the pan portion 52 and run out of the tool box 1 without draining into the tool box 1.

In order to ensure that water does not enter the interior of the tool box 1, the seal portion 54 extend from the underside of the top of the tool box 1 far enough to mate with the base portion 56 of the sealing/drainage structure 50. This seal is not complete since there is left a small channel or gap between the portions of the seal portion 54 that is immediately adjacent the back of the tool box 1, thereby encouraging any water to drain out, down the back of the tool box 1 and not into the tool box 1. If necessary, gasketing material may attached to either the pan portion 52 or the seal portion 54 in order to encourage a water tight seal between the pan portion 52 and the seal portion 54 (except in the area of the above noted gap).

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the components of the removable rack section 40 are storable within the tool box 1.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. An attachment for a tool box comprising: a base section and a removable rack section, the base section comprises at least one horizontal support and at least one vertical support attached to the at least one horizontal support, the at least one vertical support has a receiving aperture sized to receive a bottom section of the rack section, located at terminal ends of each horizontal support are attachment tangs that include an attachment aperture, the removable rack section comprises of two pieces, a stem section and a prong section comprising a horizontal bar with retaining projections at teach end of the horizontal bar.
 2. The attachment for a tool box according to claim 1 further comprising an attached tool box.
 3. An attachment for a tool box comprising: a base section and a removable rack section, the base section comprises at least one horizontal support and at least one movable vertical support attached at least one slide guide that fits over and slides along the at least one horizontal support, the at least one moveable vertical support has a receiving aperture sized to receive a bottom section of the rack section, located at terminal ends of each horizontal support are attachment tangs that include an attachment aperture, the removable rack section comprises of two pieces, a stem section and a prong section comprising a horizontal bar with retaining projections at teach end of the horizontal bar.
 4. The attachment for a tool box according to claim 3 further comprising an attached tool box.
 5. A tool box with integral rack comprising a tool box having a hinged lid, a single vertical support attached directly to the interior of the tool box, in the lid of the tool box there is an aperture located directly over the vertical support, a removable rack section comprising of two pieces, a stem section and a prong section comprising a horizontal bar with retaining projections at each end of the horizontal bar, the vertical support has a receiving aperture sized to receive a bottom section of the rack section.
 6. The tool box with integral rack according to claim 5 further comprising a sealing/drainage structure that comprises a pan portion and a seal portion, pan portion is attached to the top of the vertical support and seal portion extend from the underside of the top of the tool box far enough to mate with the base portion.
 7. The tool box with integral rack according to claim 6 wherein the pan portion further includes a lip that runs around most, but not all of the base portion. 